Bonus award for video poker-type game

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a game for play by a player using first and second sets of symbols, with each of the symbols having a rank associated therewith. The game includes a player hand including at least four symbols selected from the first set of symbols. If the player hand includes four symbols having the same rank, a bonus symbol is selected from the second set of symbols. A bonus is awarded to the player if the rank of the bonus symbol matches the rank of the four symbols having the same rank. Each symbol may further include an additional indicator, with an enhanced bonus award being awarded when both the rank and the additional indicator of the bonus symbol match the rank and the additional indicator of the first player symbol in the player hand.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to games of chance, and more specifically to a card game played with cards having a plurality of ranks, wherein a player is awarded a bonus card for any four-of-a-kind and awarded a bonus if the rank of the bonus card matches the rank of the four-of-the-kind.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Video poker games have become exceedingly popular. In a typical video poker game, a player is dealt a certain number of cards, usually five, and has a one-time option to replace between none and all of the cards. The player is awarded a payout based on various paytables for achieving a hand having a given poker rank. Given the popularity of video poker, numerous variations to this basic structure have arisen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a game for play by a player using first and second sets of symbols, with each of said symbols having a rank associated therewith. Preferably the first and second sets of symbols have an equal number of symbols therein. For example, the first set of symbols may be a standard deck of fifty-two playing cards, with the second set of symbols being one of a second standard deck of fifty-two playing cards, or fifty-two balls, with each ball representing one card of a standard deck of playing cards. The game includes a wager placed by the player and a player hand selected from among the first set of symbols. The player hand includes at least four symbols. The game further includes a bonus symbol selected from among the second set of symbols when the player hand includes four symbols having the same rank. The game also includes a bonus award awarded to the player if the rank of the bonus symbol matches the rank of the four symbols having the same rank.

In one aspect of the game, each symbol further includes an additional indicator, while the player hand includes a first player symbol. In this aspect of the present invention, the bonus award may be an enhanced bonus, such as a progressive bonus, if both the rank and the additional indicator of the bonus symbol match the rank and the additional indicator of the first player symbol. The additional indicator may be one of clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades. The first player symbol may be the leftmost symbol of the player hand when the player hand is arranged horizontally.

The game may further include an air-driven jumbled ball device, with the bonus symbol being distributed via the device. The device may include a plurality of balls, with each of the balls depicting one of the second set of symbols. The game may be played using tangible representations of the first and second sets of symbols, or the game may be played at least partially electronically.

The present invention further provides a method of playing a wagering game using a group of symbols. Each symbol of the group of symbols has a rank associated therewith. A player wagers a wager prior to receiving a player hand. The player hand includes at least four of the symbols selected from the group of symbols. If the player hand includes four symbols having the same rank, a bonus symbol is then distributed to the player. If the rank of the bonus symbol matches the rank of the four symbols having the same rank in the player hand, a bonus award is awarded.

In one aspect of the method, each symbol further includes an additional indicator, while the player hand includes a first player symbol. In this aspect of the invention, the bonus award is an enhanced bonus award when the bonus symbol matches both the rank and the additional indicator of the first player symbol. The symbols may be playing cards, with the additional indicator being one of clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades. The enhanced bonus award may be a progressive bonus. The first player symbol may be any of the symbols in the player hand, but may be the leftmost symbol of the player hand when the player hand is arranged horizontally. The bonus symbol may be distributed via an air-driven jumbled ball device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a game table incorporating a game according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic of the preferred embodiment of the game according to the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart presenting a method of playing a game according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 presents a schematic of a game table 10 incorporating a game according to the present invention. The game is played using a first and second sets of symbols 12, 14, with each of the symbols having a rank associated therewith. The first and second sets of symbols 12, 14 depicted in FIG. 1 are both standard decks of fifty-two cards, with the rank associated with each card being the poker rank traditionally associated therewith; i.e., “queen” or “six”. However, it should be appreciated that the sets of symbols 12, 14 may be other symbolic representations without changing the inventive concept. Preferably, the sets of symbols 12, 14 include an equal number of symbols. A player 16 receives a player hand 18 selected, preferably randomly, from among the first set of symbols 12, with the player hand 18 including at least four symbols. As the game contemplated by the present invention is intended for use within casinos and other for-profit game operators, it is anticipated that the player 16 will be required to place a wager prior to receiving the player hand 18. However, there need be no wager to practice the present invention. As with traditional video poker games, the player hand 18 preferably includes five cards. However, the player hand 18 need only include four cards, or four symbols of any kind, to practice the present invention. If the player hand 18 includes four symbols having the same rank, i.e., if the player hand 18 includes a four-of-a-kind, a bonus symbol 20 is selected from among the second set of symbols 14. A bonus award is awarded to the player 16 if the rank of the bonus symbol 20 matches the rank of the four-of-a-kind in the player hand 18.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the player hand 18 includes a first player symbol 22. The first player symbol 22 may be the leftmost card when the player hand is arranged horizontally, as shown in FIG. 1, or may be any other symbol from the player hand 18. Additionally, each symbol may further include an additional indicator other than the rank. When cards are used as symbols, the additional indicator is the suit; i.e., clubs, diamonds, hearts or spades. However, any additional indicator may be used within the scope of the present invention, such as different colors or different pictures. In this embodiment, the bonus award is an enhanced bonus award when both the rank and the additional indicator of the bonus symbol 20 match the rank and the additional indicator of the first player symbol 22. The enhanced bonus award may be a progressive-type bonus, with a plurality of games according to the present invention cross-linked in some manner. A common jackpot would thus be established, with the player 16 being awarded the jackpot as the enhanced bonus when the rank and the additional indicator of the bonus symbol 20 match the rank and the additional indicator of the first player symbol 22.

To illustrate the present invention as described herein, consider a game using a first standard deck of cards as the first set of symbols 12, and a second standard deck of cards as the second set of symbols 14. The player 16 is dealt a player hand 18 from the first deck 12. Assume the player hand 18 includes four jacks, dealt in the following order: the jack of clubs, the jack of diamonds, the jack of hearts and the jack of spades, such that the first player card 22 is the jack of clubs. Since the player hand 18 includes four cards having the same rank, i.e., “jack”, a bonus card 20 is distributed from the second deck 14. If the bonus card 20 is any jack, the bonus award is awarded since the rank of the bonus card 20 matches the rank of the four-of-a-kind in the player hand 18. If the bonus card 20 is the jack of spades, the enhanced bonus award is awarded, since both the rank and the additional indicator, i.e., “clubs”, of the bonus card 20 match the rank and the additional indicator of the first player card 22.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a schematic of a machine used to play a second embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at 24. In this embodiment, the first set of symbols is a standard deck of fifty-two cards (not shown) which are electronically generated, while the second set of symbols is fifty-two balls 14′ which are physically contained within the machine 24. Each of the balls 14′ represents one card of a standard deck of cards such that each of the balls 14′ has a rank and a suit associated therewith. The rank and suit of each ball may be displayed directly on the ball itself, i.e., “jack, clubs”, or the balls may be numbered from one through fifty-two, with each number corresponding to a different card from a standard deck of cards. In this embodiment, a player hand 18′ including five cards is shown, with the player hand 18′ being selected from the first set of symbols electronically by a controller within the machine 24. The player hand 18′ includes all four threes from the deck of cards as well as the Ace of clubs. The first three, the three of hearts, is shown as a first player card 22′. Since the player hand 18′ includes a four-of-a-kind, namely four threes, a player (not shown) will receive a bonus symbol 20′. In this embodiment, the machine 24 includes an air-driven jumbled ball device 26. The device 26 contains the balls 14′. When activated, i.e., when a player hits a four-of-a-kind, the device 26 mixes the balls 14′ for randomization, eventually selecting one of the balls 14′ as a bonus ball 20′. The device 26 preferably forces the bonus ball 20′ through a slot 28 where it may be viewed by the player. As with the previous embodiment, if the rank of the bonus ball 20′ matches the rank of the four-of-a-kind in the player hand 18′, i.e., if the bonus ball 20′ represents a “three”, the player will be awarded a bonus award. If the suit of the bonus ball 20′ matches the suit of the first player card 22′, i.e., if the bonus ball 20′ represents the three of hearts, the player will be awarded an enhanced bonus award, which may be a progressive jackpot. It should be noted that the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 uses tangible cards for both sets of symbols 12, 14, while the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 uses a video display to show the first set of symbols and tangible balls for the second set of symbols 14′. It should thus be appreciated that the game may be played wholly using tangible objects, wholly electronically, or partially tangibly and partially electronically within the scope of the present invention.

Since a standard deck of playing cards includes only four cards of the same rank (e.g., four queens, four nines, etc.), it is important that the second set of symbols be independent from the first set of symbols when using a standard deck of cards as the first set of symbols. Otherwise, a player would never be eligible for the bonus award, since all cards of the same rank would be utilized in making the four-of-a-kind, and thus would never arise as the bonus symbol. However, it should be noted that the game could be adjusted for play using first and second sets of symbols that overlap in some manner. For instance, the first and second sets of symbols could be grouped into one large set of symbols. While it may be easier to hit a four-of-a-kind in this situation, thereby triggering distribution of the bonus symbol, it may be more difficult to match the rank and/or the additional indicator of the four-of-a-kind and/or the first player symbol. In any event, the preferred embodiment uses a first standard deck of cards, or representations thereof, as the first set of symbols, and a second standard deck of cards, or representations thereof, as the second set of symbols.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the present invention further includes a method of playing a game according to the present invention. First, a player hand is distributed in box 100. The player hand includes at least four symbols. Next, box 102 asks if the player hand includes a four-of-a-kind, i.e, if the player hand includes four symbols of matching rank. If the answer is no, box 104 requires that no bonus be awarded. If the answer is yes, a bonus symbol is distributed in box 106. Next, box 108 asks if the rank of the bonus symbol matches the rank of the four-of-a-kind. If the answer is no, box 110 requires that no bonus be awarded. If the answer is yes, the bonus award is awarded in box 112. Finally, the method asks if the additional indicator of the bonus symbol matches the additional indicator of the first player symbol in box 114. If the answer is no, box 116 requires that no enhanced bonus award be awarded, although the player has already received the bonus award in box 112. If the answer is yes, the player is awarded the enhanced bonus award in box 118.

It should be noted that while no bonus is awarded in the method according to the present invention in a number of situation, a player may still be eligible for a payout based on the rules of the main poker game being played. For instance, if the player hand includes three-of-a-kind, while no bonus will be awarded according to the present invention, the player may still receive a payout for having three-of-a-kind. It should also be noted that traditional video poker-type games allow a player to substitute between one and all of the cards initially dealt for new cards from the deck. That is, the player hand may be adjusted following the initial dealing thereof. The present invention is intended for use with such games, with the ultimate player hand, following substitution, being the player hand used to initiate distribution of the bonus symbol. It matters only that a player ultimately have a four-of-a-kind to practice the present invention.

While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, it is to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words and description rather than of limitation. Those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize that many modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced in a substantially equivalent way other than as specifically described herein. 

1. A game for play by a player using first and second sets of symbols, with each of said symbols having a rank associated therewith, said game comprising: a player hand selected from among said first set of symbols, said player hand including at least four symbols; a bonus symbol selected from among said second set of symbols, said bonus symbol being selected when said player hand includes four symbols having the same rank; and a bonus award awarded to said player if the rank of said bonus symbol matches the rank of said four symbols having the same rank.
 2. The game of claim 1, wherein each symbol further includes an additional indicator and said player hand includes a first player symbol, wherein said bonus award is an enhanced bonus award when both the rank and the additional indicator of said bonus symbol match the rank and the additional indicator of said first player symbol.
 3. The game of claim 2, wherein said enhanced bonus award is a progressive bonus.
 4. The game of claim 2, wherein said additional indicator is one of clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades.
 5. The game of claim 2, wherein said first player symbol is the leftmost symbol of said player hand when said player hand is arranged horizontally.
 6. The game of claim 1, wherein said first set of symbols and said second set of symbols include an equal number of symbols therein.
 7. The game of claim 1, wherein said first set of symbols is a first deck of playing cards, and wherein said second set of symbols is a second deck of playing cards.
 8. The game of claim 1, further including an air-driven jumbled ball device, wherein said bonus symbol is distributed via said device.
 9. The game of claim 8, wherein said device includes a plurality of balls, with each of said balls representing one of said second set of symbols.
 10. A method of playing a wagering game using a group of symbols, with each symbol of said group of symbols having a rank associated therewith, said method comprising: distributing a player hand to said player, said player hand including at least four symbols selected from said group of symbols; distributing a bonus symbol to said player if said player hand includes four symbols having the same rank; and awarding a bonus award to said player if the rank of said bonus symbol matches the rank of said four symbols having the same rank.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein each symbol further includes an additional indicator and wherein said player hand includes a first player symbol, with said bonus award being an enhanced bonus award when said bonus symbol matches both the rank and the additional indicator of said first player symbol.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the additional indicator is one of clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein said enhanced bonus award is a progressive bonus.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein said first player symbol is the leftmost symbol of said player hand when said player hand is arranged horizontally.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein said bonus symbol is distributed via an air-driven jumbled ball device.
 16. The method of claim 10, wherein said symbols are playing cards.
 17. A game for play by a player using a standard deck of cards such that each of said cards has a rank and a suit associated therewith, said game comprising: a player hand selected from said deck of cards, said player hand including at least four cards; an air-driven jumbled ball device including fifty-two balls, wherein each of said balls represents one card of a second standard deck of cards such that each of said balls has a rank and a suit associated therewith, said device being activated to distribute a bonus ball from among said balls when said player hand includes four cards having the same rank; and a bonus award awarded to said player if the rank of said bonus ball matches the rank of said four cards having the same rank.
 18. The game of claim 17, wherein said player hand includes a first player card, and wherein said bonus award is an enhanced bonus award when both the rank and the suit of said bonus ball match the rank and the suit of said first player card.
 19. The game of claim 17, wherein said game is played using at least partially tangibly.
 20. The game of claim 17, wherein said game is played at least partially electronically, such that at least one of said cards and said balls are electronic depictions. 